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UK ISPs in talks to block The Pirate Bay and other filesharing sites

Around 100 sites, including The Pirate Bay, are on a list of filesharing and digital file locker services that could be blocked by ISPs in the UK under a voluntary code currently being discussed.

The Guardian reports that talks are underway between media rights holders and major ISPs following delays to The Digital Economy Act. Passed in the UK last year, the act opened the doors to ISPs being forced to ‘blacklist’ repeat copyright infringers – something that they aren’t keen on being forced to do. However, implementation of the Act has been delayed until at least next year as two major ISPs – BT and TalkTalk – have successfully called for a judicial review of the legislation.

With the Act delayed, the voluntary code is being prepared as an alternative way of dealing with illegal filesharing in the meantime. Under these plans, rights holders would pass evidence that sites were facilitating illegal filesharing to ISPs, who would then block them. It appears that ISPs are pushing for a high court judge to approve any blockages. It is also yet to be decided whether ISPs or rights holders will pay compensation to sites who successfully appeal a blockage.

The Guardian reports that sites on the list of sites that could be blocked include Newzbin2, Pirate Bay, Movieberry and Free Movies Online 4 You.

Martin Bryant was Editor-at-Large at The Next Web. He left the company in April 2016 for pastures new. You can find him on Twitter, on Snapchat as Martinsfp, subscribe to him on Facebook and visit his personal site. He's based in Manchester, UK and has a thing for quirky American music and Japanese video games.